soldiers on the frontline in afghanistan asked the chairman of the joint chief of staffs if they will get their checks if the government defaults. president obama talked with mitch mcconnell and met with all sides to try to beat the clock and strike the deal. >> jessica, we heard earlier on they needed about a week after the deal was passed so they could get it to the president's desk for signature. if they get a deal in the next day or on monday, do they still have time to get this signed and so we avoid this default? >> well, there certainly are still procedural things that would have to happen before they do so but at this point every person i've talk to says if they have a deal in hand they will make it happen. no one here in washington wants to see the nation default on its debt, ann. >> we are talking about talks at the white house. we have heard about those talks before. what do you know about those? any progress being made? >> reporter: it doesn't appear so. there were about 90 minutes this afternoon at the white house with nancy pelosi, senator harry reid spending that time t